What happens when life takes a heartbreaking turn and even your faith feels shaken? For Lisa O’Connor, the answer came through her 6-year-old son, Charlie, whose joyful spirit has transformed her understanding of suffering and God’s love.
Speaking with Mark on The Mark Swartzberg Show, Lisa shared how Charlie began experiencing developmental delays as an infant. Doctors eventually diagnosed him with infantile spasms, a dangerous form of epilepsy, and a rare genetic mutation affecting his brain.
The diagnosis left Lisa devastated. Despite growing up with a strong Catholic faith, she admitted that she spent years struggling with anger toward God.
But through prayer and reflection, Lisa began to recognize something profound: God does not abandon us in suffering. Through Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross, He can bring goodness even from our deepest pain.
Lisa recalled two powerful encounters with God during Eucharistic Adoration in her younger years. Those experiences taught her that God’s love isn’t something we earn through accomplishments or abilities. It is freely given.
That truth became especially meaningful as she watched Charlie grow. Although he cannot walk or talk, he radiates joy through his smiles, hugs, and love for his family.
Lisa also discovered a deeper understanding of prayer. During moments when she couldn’t find the words to speak to God, she simply offered Him her life.
“My whole life, God, is a prayer,” she said. She used to be so angry at God that she couldn’t speak to Him, but even when words fail us, our whole life can be a prayer.
Today, Lisa advocates for research through CureGABA-A, an organization working toward treatments for children with Charlie’s condition.
Her message to anyone carrying a heavy cross is that you are loved, you are not alone, and God can bring goodness from suffering.
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